Grace in Someone's Garage

Sometimes God's goodness comes in the form of a big fish. (I'm sure my husband would call it a beautiful fish. I choose to stick with big.) (See last post.) And sometimes God's grace comes in the form of something beautiful (at least to me).

Last week, I needed to get out of my house. There is always way too much testosterone and noise there, and sometimes I just need some mommy time. So I did what anyone with little money, a desperate desire to do something other than referee and feed people, and a need for some ispiration would do - I went to rummage through other people's junk.

The first place I stopped had a beautiful brass chandelier for sale. Now I love the thrill of a great bargain, but I have been asking God to help me be content with what I have. $25 just felt like too much to spend on something I didn't really need (even if my current light fixture could be sold in the bug catcher department). When I arrived at my second stop, I saw a large black plastic bag laying on the driveway. As I approached, I saw something that looked like brass sticking out. My first thought was ,"Lord, a girl can only handle so much temptation. I may need your help." Sure enough, it was a brass chandelier almost identical to the one I had just seen. As I reached to turn over the price tag, my heart began to flutter. Just as I saw the price was $10, the owner said to me, "Five bucks and it's yours." I almost sat down right there in her driveway to have a good laugh. However, I restrained the giddiness, and took that baby home, thanking God all the way.

Now, I'm not much of a brass fan, so here's what I did to it. First, I covered all the electrical parts.

Then I sprayed it with a good metal primer.

And here it is now, hanging in my bedroom with a beautiful new porcelain white finish and the ivory shades that came with it.

I love it, but it does light up the room like a runway, so I need to get 25 watt bulbs and have my hubby install a dimmer switch. Now I just need some curtains on those windows, but for now, blinds will do and I'm just going to savor this little gift from God.

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:9-11

A Promise Kept

A few weeks ago, Ken took the boys to a local pond to fish for bluegill. While they were fishing, Ellis said, "Dad, I want to catch a salmon." Ken told him you don't catch salmon in a pond and promised he'd take him fishing for salmon sometime. So last night, he took Josiah, Ellis and Aidan salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. They left around 3:30 in the afternoon and didn't get home until 12:30 a.m. Apparently, everybody had a great time except Ellis. He got sick to his stomach and fell asleep around 9:00. He did get to see Siah catch the first fish, though. It was a beautiful rainbow trout. Then while he slept, Aidan reeled one in and Siah caught a huge 15 pound salmon. I think they had an awesome experience. I am so grateful for a friend like Captain Joe who took them out on his boat. I feel blessed that we live so close to such a beautiful body of water. But mostly what I'm thankful for is that my boys have a daddy who keeps his promises!

Here are a few highlights from the trip!

Here is Siah catching a few ZZZZ's...

and Aidan....

and Ellison.

Muffins & Mischief

Yesterday morning I woke up to the most adorable sight in my kitchen. My hubby was making chocolate chip muffins for breakfast with the kids. (It's o.k. to serve chocolate for breakfast if you call it a muffin, right?) He had Bennett up on the counter and the twins were huddled around him, standing on my dining room chairs so they could see. They were all thrilled just to have Daddy's undivided attention. That's how my day started.

My day ended much the same way, with the boys enjoying their daddy. Right before bed, all the boys piled on top of Ken on my couch. They were snuggling, and each was trying to claim his rightful little spot of room when all of a sudden my husband said to Aidan, "Hey buddy, it looks like you have a hole in your underwear. Let me take a look." The moment he said it, I saw the twinkle in his eye, and I knew he was up to no good. Sure enough, right by the waistband we all saw a small tear, and before we knew it, Ken had ripped the underwear right off Aidan's body. Needless to say, the boys thought that was hysterical. They fell off the couch in stitches and I was pretty sure someone was going to wet their pants. Grateful that that did not occur, we sent the boys off to bed and gave one last giggle as one of them climbed the steps with a naked bottom peaking out from under his shirt!


It's no wonder the boys love their daddy so much. He makes life funny and fun and tasty. Here are a few more reasons why we think he's so great!

He comes up with great ideas!

He gives up his own fun so the boys can have fun.

(Secretly, he's dying to cast his own rod.)

He's just plain goofy!

Missed Moments

One of the reasons I'm a full-time mommy is because I always want to be there for my children's special moments, big and small, as well as their everyday moments. Last night, my 11-year old, Siah, scored his first two goals in soccer this season, and I missed it! I couldn't believe it. On the one night both my husband and I had to miss his game, he had his moment and neither of us saw it. Luckily, a dear friend of mine was there with him and could tell me about it.

This wasn't the first big moment of his little life that I've missed. A few years ago, Josiah wanted to be baptized at our church's annual picnic. First he was supposed to share his faith story at our outdoor service and then be baptized just before our picnic. Because I was the event coordinator for the dinner, I had stepped inside to check on the chef and her crew, and when I got back outside, I saw him step away from the microphone. I had missed his whole faith story. I immediately burst into tears. It felt like such a significant moment to miss!

And then, of course, there were the first four months of his life when he was in Korea before he came to us and all the moments we missed. Thankfully, since he was so small when he came, we still got to experience most of his firsts with him.

I know there will be other disappointments, other missed moments, but I am grateful for every victory we get to celebrate and every milestone we get to mark. Just yesterday, he was four months old and they were putting him in my arms for the first time. Today, he is on the verge of becoming a teenager, and tomorrow, he'll be gone. For now, I'm treasuring every moment!

Siah, I love all my moments with you!

In Daddy's Arms

I've had trouble sleeping lately. It's probably a combination of being over tired (Having a one year old at age 44 will do that to you.), finally having a quiet house (Who wants to sleep when they can finally accomplish something?), and worrying over things I can't change. Whatever the reason, not getting enough rest just complicates everything. You end up sleeping at the wrong time which makes the next night's sleep impossible, and if you're like me, your disposition is far from sunny. I usually end up being grumpy with the kids which makes them grumpy with each other which makes my husband grumpy with me. It's a vicious cycle.


Today, my little one was having a rough day. Lately, he's been getting a new tooth practically every day, and today, I'm pretty sure they were bothering him. He woke up after about 15 minutes at nap time. I knew that wouldn't do, but I thought I'd take him outside. He loves his daddy alot, and when dad decided to mow the yard, Bennett followed the tractor into the front yard and stood staring at Ken until he pulled over and pulled Bennett onto his lap. That's all it took. A while later while I was making lunch, I looked out the window to see Bennett sound asleep in his daddy's arms.


What a beautiful reminder that all who are weary can find rest in the Father's arms. All we have to do is bring our burdens (obsessions, longings, frustrations, fears, etc...) to Him.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Enjoy your rest!